Daniel Maldini was on target as Spezia swept Como aside 5-1, while Brescia flattened Pisa 4-1 away in the first round of the Coppa Italia.
The tournament has begun this week with one-off matches, to be decided after 90 minutes, extra time or even penalties.
Spezia had some issues before kick-off, as Giulio Maggiore reportedly refused to play unless he was given back the captain’s armband, so was instead sent to the stands and will be fined.
Como signed Cesc Fabregas this week, also acting as shareholder of the Serie B club, but he was not even on the bench.
M’Bala Nzola broke the deadlock after an Emmanuel Gyasi assist and Como equalised with Alex Blanco’s strike.
However, Spezia then ran riot, Daniele Verde converting a penalty for an Elvis Kabashi foul, David Strelec meeting the Arkadiusz Reca assist and N’Zola scoring another spot-kick for Luis Binks handball.
In the final minute, Daniel Maldini marked his debut after the loan from Milan, finding the net on another Reca assist.
Spezia will face Brescia in the Second Round, to be played in October.
That is because Brescia hammered Pisa 4-1 away from home, although they had gone behind first to a Gaetano Masucci header.
The Rondinelle fought back immediately, Emanuele Ndoj’s free kick thumping the crossbar and Nicolas accidentally turning into his own net.
Florian Aye, Emanuele Ndoj and Flavio Bianchi rounded out the result.
Pisa 1-4 Brescia
Masucci 20 (P), Nicolas og 25 (B), Aye 61 (B), Ndoj 72 (B), Bianchi 94 (B)
Spezia 5-1 Como
Nzola 43, pen 76 (S), Blanco 55 (C), Verde pen 60 (S), Strelec 71 (S), Maldini 89 (S)